Domain selection for mobile-originated message service

ABSTRACT

An indication is used to control how message service information is routed over different domains. For example, an access terminal may be configured with an indication that indicates that a message service is preferred to be invoked over an IP domain or that the message service is not be invoked over the IP domain. The access terminal then delivers message service information based on the value of the indication. In some cases, a network entity generates the indication and sends the indication to the access terminal. In some cases, a domain for delivery of message service information is selected based on a domain that was selected for particular type of traffic

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/851,678, entitled “DOMAIN SELECTION FOR MOBILE-ORIGINATEDMESSAGE SERVICE,” filed Aug. 6, 2010, which claims the benefit of andpriority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/232,733, entitled“METHOD AND APPARATUS TO ENABLE SHORT MESSAGING SERVICE (SMS) DOMAINSELECTION,” filed Aug. 10, 2009, which are each assigned to the assigneehereof and the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by referencein their entirety.

This application is also related to commonly owned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/851,679, entitled “IDENTIFYING A DOMAIN FORDELIVERY OF MESSAGE SERVICE INFORMATION,” filed Aug. 6, 2010, and tocommonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/476,780, entitled“IDENTIFYING A DOMAIN FOR DELIVERY OF MESSAGE SERVICE INFORMATION,”filed Mar. 31, 2017, which are each assigned to the assignee hereof andthe disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND Field

This application relates generally to communication and morespecifically, but not exclusively, to selection of a domain for deliveryof message service information.

Introduction

A wireless communication network may be deployed over a definedgeographical area to provide various types of services (e.g., voice,data, multimedia services, etc.) to users within that geographical area.In a typical implementation, access points (e.g., corresponding todifferent cells) are distributed throughout a network to providewireless connectivity for access terminals (e.g., cell phones) that areoperating within the geographical area served by the network.

Various types of information may be sent between an access terminal anda network and this information may be sent over different types ofdomains. For example, the access terminal may send voice traffic, webbrowser traffic, streaming traffic, Short Message Service (SMS) traffic(e.g., for delivery of up to 160 characters), and other types of trafficto the network. In addition, in various scenarios this traffic may besent via an Internet Protocol (IP) domain or some other type of domain(e.g., a circuit switched (CS) domain). For example, an access terminalfor a GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN) or UMTS Terrestrial RadioAccess Network (UTRAN) system may be capable of communicating via an IPdomain such as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) domain or a CS domain.Similarly, an access terminal for an Evolved-UTRAN (E-UTRAN) system maybe capable of communicating via an IP domain such as an IMS domain or aCS fallback (CSFB) domain. Consequently, there is a need for effectivetechniques for facilitating the delivery of information from an accessterminal over different types of domains.

SUMMARY

A summary of sample aspects of the disclosure follows. In the discussionherein, any reference to the term aspects may refer to one or moreaspects of the disclosure.

The disclosure relates in some aspects to providing an indication thatis used for controlling how information for a message service (e.g., atext communication service such as SMS) is routed over differentdomains. For example, an access terminal may be configured with anindication (e.g., the access terminal receives an indication andmaintains that indication) that indicates that a message service ispreferred to be invoked over an IP domain, or that the message serviceis not be invoked over an IP domain. The access terminal then deliversmessage service information based on the value of the indication. Forexample, if the indication indicates a preference for delivering SMSover IMS, the access terminal first attempts to use an IMS domain fordelivery of SMS. If this attempt fails, the access terminal may thenattempt to deliver SMS over a non-access stratum (NAS) domain. In thiscase, the access terminal may register with a CS domain (e.g., registerwith a Mobile Switching Center) if the access terminal is not alreadyregistered. Conversely, if the indication indicates that IMS is not tobe used for delivering SMS, the access terminal may simply attempt todeliver SMS over NAS (including registering with a CS domain, ifapplicable).

Accordingly, upon determining that message service information is to besent, an access terminal may identify a domain for delivering themessage service information based on an indication maintained at theaccess terminal. The access terminal then delivers the message serviceinformation over the identified domain.

In some cases, a network entity may generate the indication and send theindication to the access terminal. For example, a home operator maydefine an OMA-DM flag that is sent to the access terminal to specify thehome operator's preference or capabilities regarding domain selection.

The disclosure relates in some aspects to selecting a domain based on adomain that was selected for particular type of traffic. For example,upon determining that message service information is to be sent, anaccess terminal may identify a domain that is used for voice traffic.The access terminal may then attempt to deliver the message serviceinformation over this domain.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other sample aspects of the disclosure will be described inthe detailed description and the appended claims that follow, and in theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of several sample aspects of acommunication system where a domain for delivery of message serviceinformation is selected based on an indication;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of several sample aspects of operations that maybe performed in conjunction with selecting a domain for deliveringmessage service information based on an indication;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of several sample aspects of operations that maybe performed in conjunction with delivering message service informationover an identified domain;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of several sample aspects of operations that maybe performed in conjunction with domain selection for an access terminalcamping on E-UTRAN;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of several sample aspects of operations that maybe performed in conjunction with domain selection for an access terminalcamping on UTRAN;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of several sample aspects of one example ofoperations that may be performed in conjunction with domain selectionfor an access terminal camping on, but not attached to, E-UTRAN;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of several sample aspects of another example ofoperations that may be performed in conjunction with domain selectionfor an access terminal camping on, but not attached to, E-UTRAN;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of several sample aspects of operations that maybe performed in conjunction with domain selection in a system thatsupports cdma2000 radio technology;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of several sample aspects of operations that maybe performed in conjunction with selecting a domain for deliveringmessage service information based on a domain used for a specified typeof traffic;

FIG. 10 is a simplified diagram illustrating different domains fordelivery of message service information in a sample E-UTRANcommunication system;

FIG. 11 is a simplified diagram illustrating different domains fordelivery of message service information in a sample UTRAN communicationsystem;

FIG. 12 is a simplified diagram illustrating different domains fordelivery of message service information in a sample GERAN communicationsystem;

FIG. 13 is a simplified diagram illustrating a sample system thatsupports a cdma2000 domain for delivery of message service information;

FIG. 14 is a simplified block diagram of several sample aspects ofcomponents that may be employed in communication nodes;

FIG. 15 is a simplified block diagram of several sample aspects ofcommunication components; and

FIGS. 16-19 are simplified block diagrams of several sample aspects ofapparatuses configured to support selection of a domain for deliveringmessage service information as taught herein.

In accordance with common practice the various features illustrated inthe drawings may not be drawn to scale. Accordingly, the dimensions ofthe various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity.In addition, some of the drawings may be simplified for clarity. Thus,the drawings may not depict all of the components of a given apparatus(e.g., device) or method. Finally, like reference numerals may be usedto denote like features throughout the specification and figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various aspects of the disclosure are described below. It should beapparent that the teachings herein may be embodied in a wide variety offorms and that any specific structure, function, or both being disclosedherein is merely representative. Based on the teachings herein oneskilled in the art should appreciate that an aspect disclosed herein maybe implemented independently of any other aspects and that two or moreof these aspects may be combined in various ways. For example, anapparatus may be implemented or a method may be practiced using anynumber of the aspects set forth herein. In addition, such an apparatusmay be implemented or such a method may be practiced using otherstructure, functionality, or structure and functionality in addition toor other than one or more of the aspects set forth herein. Furthermore,an aspect may comprise at least one element of a claim.

FIG. 1 illustrates several nodes of a sample communication system 100(e.g., a portion of a communication network). For illustration purposes,various aspects of the disclosure will be described in the context ofone or more access terminals, access points, and network entities thatcommunicate with one another. It should be appreciated, however, thatthe teachings herein may be applicable to other types of apparatuses orother similar apparatuses that are referenced using other terminology.For example, in various implementations access points may be referred toor implemented as eNodeBs, NodeBs, base stations, and so on, whileaccess terminals may be referred to or implemented as user equipment,mobile stations, mobiles, and so on.

Access points in the system 100 provide one or more services (e.g.,network connectivity) for one or more wireless terminals (e.g., accessterminal 102) that may be installed within or that may roam throughout acoverage area of the system 100. For example, at various points in timethe access terminal 102 may connect to an access point 104 or some otheraccess point in the system 100 (not shown). Each of these access pointsmay communicate with one or more network entities (represented, forconvenience, by network entity 106) to facilitate wide area networkconnectivity. These network entities may take various forms such as, forexample, one or more radio and/or core network entities. Thus, invarious implementations the network entity 106 may representfunctionality such as at least one of: network management (e.g., via anoperation, administration, management, and provisioning entity), callcontrol, session management, mobility management, gateway functions,interworking functions, or some other suitable network functionality.

In accordance with the teachings herein, the access terminal 102 isconfigured with a message service indication 108 that the accessterminal 102 uses to identify a domain for delivering message serviceinformation (e.g., an SMS message). For example, based on the value ofthis indication, a message service domain selector 108 may elect todeliver message service information to an IP domain 112 or to anotherdomain 114. In some implementations, the network entity 106 mayconfigure the access terminal 102 with the message service indication108 (as represented by the corresponding dashed lines). For example, anentity associated with a home public land mobile network (HPLMN)operator of the access terminal 102 may configure the access terminal102 with this indication to control the preferred behavior of the accessterminal 102.

3GPP specifications provide two mechanisms for SMS delivery: SMS overIMS (an IP domain) and SMS over NAS (e.g., a CS domain). In SMS overIMS, the SMS is delivered in a packet switched (PS) domain user planeusing IMS.

In SMS over NAS, the SMS is delivered via NAS signaling. This signalingmay take various forms depending on the radio access technology (RAT)upon which the access terminal is currently camping. For an accessterminal on GERAN, NAS signaling involves SMS over CS NAS signaling. Foran access terminal on UTRAN, NAS signaling involves SMS over GeneralPacket Radio Service (GPRS) NAS signaling and the Gs interface betweenthe Mobile Switching Center (MSC) and the Serving GPRS Support Node(SGSN). For an access terminal on E-UTRAN, NAS signaling involves SMSover EPS NAS signaling and the SGs interface between the MSC and theMobility Management Entity (MME).

For a CSFB and IMS capable access terminal that is camping on E-UTRAN,or for a CS and IMS capable access terminal that is camping onGERAN/UTRAN, the access terminal may employ the teachings herein todecide how to deliver SMS. In addition, similar techniques may beemployed for delivering SMS over other domains. For example, for anaccess terminal with E-UTRAN and cdma2000 radio technology, when theaccess terminal is in E-UTRAN, the access terminal may use SMS over IMSor SMS over S102.

The disclosure thus relates in some aspects to a methodology of SMSdomain selection for CS/CSFB and IMS capable access terminals acrossradio access technologies. In some implementations, the access terminaluses one configuration: the access terminal is either configured to useSMS over IMS or the access terminal is not configured to use SMS overIMS (e.g., configured to use SMS over NAS or S102). When the accessterminal is configured to use SMS over IMS, the access terminal attemptsto deliver SMS over IMS first. If this is not possible, the accessterminal tries to deliver SMS over NAS (or S102). When the accessterminal is not configured to use SMS over IMS, then the access terminalonly attempts SMS over NAS (or S102).

Sample operations that may be performed by a system such as the system100 in accordance with the teachings herein will be described in moredetail in conjunction with the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3. Forconvenience, the operations of FIGS. 2 and 3 (or any other operationsdiscussed or taught herein) may be described as being performed byspecific components (e.g., components as described in FIGS. 1 and10-14). It should be appreciated, however, that these operations may beperformed by other types of components and may be performed using adifferent number of components. It also should be appreciated that oneor more of the operations described herein may not be employed in agiven implementation.

Referring initially to FIG. 2, blocks 202 and 204 describe operationsthat may be performed to configure an access terminal with a messageservice indication. Here, at some point in time, a message serviceindication is generated and then sent to an access terminal.

This indication may take various forms. For example, the indication mayindicate (e.g., via a first designated value such as “0”) that a messageservice is preferred to be invoked over an IP domain, or the indicationmay indicate (e.g., via a second designated value such as “1”) that themessage service is not be invoked over an IP domain. As a specificexample, an “SMS over IMS” indication may indicate that SMS is preferredto be invoked over IMS, or that SMS is not to be invoked over IMS (e.g.,SMS is instead to be invoked over NAS or some other domain). Thus, insome aspects, such an indication may indicate whether a given domain issupported by the network (e.g., by a home network).

The operations of blocks 202 and 204 may be performed by variousentities such as, for example, a network entity or a configurationentity. As an example of the former, a home operator may generate a flagdefined in IMS OMA-DM (open mobile alliance device management) MO(mobile-originated) that indicates whether the home operator for anaccess terminal wishes to use SMS over IMS. The home operator may thenpre-configure and/or dynamically update/configure the access terminal bysending the indication to the access terminal via a network connection.As an example of the latter, a configuration entity may configure (e.g.,pre-configure) the access terminal (e.g., by downloading the indicationinto the access terminal) when the access terminal is initiallyprogrammed, when the access terminal is initially deployed, or at someother time.

As represented at block 206, the access terminal will thus receive themessage service indication at some point in time (e.g., during apre-configuration operation or during an update/configurationoperation). The access terminal may receive this indication via awireless connection (e.g., from a network entity via an access point) orvia a wired connection (e.g., during a pre-configuration when the accessterminal is manufactured).

As represented at block 208, upon receipt of this indication, the accessterminal maintains the indication (e.g., stores it in a memory device)for subsequent use during message service operations. Here, anindication received by the access terminal (e.g., during a dynamicupdate) may override any static configuration the access terminal maymaintain regarding SMS.

As represented at block 210, the access terminal delivers messageservice information based on (e.g., based on the value of) themaintained indication. For example, as represented at block 212, if theindication indicates that an IP domain (e.g., IMS) is preferred, theaccess terminal attempts to deliver the message service information overthe IP domain. As represented at block 214, if this attempt fails, theaccess terminal may attempt to deliver the message service informationover another domain (e.g., NAS). In this case, the access terminal mayregister with a CS domain (e.g., register with an MSC) if the accessterminal is not already registered with the CS domain. For example, inE-UTRAN, the access terminal may perform a combined tracking area updatewith IMSI attach. Conversely, as represented at block 216, if theindication indicates that an IP domain is not to be used, the accessterminal attempts to deliver the message service information overanother domain (e.g., NAS). If needed, the access terminal registerswith that domain.

FIG. 3 describes several operations that may be performed by an accessterminal to deliver message service information over a selected domain.As represented by block 302, at some point in time the access terminaldetermines that it needs to send message service information. Forexample, an application running on the access terminal may need to senda mobile-originated SMS message to another entity via a network.

As represented by block 304, the access terminal identifies a domain fordelivering the message service information based on the indicationmaintained at the access terminal. For example, as discussed above, theaccess terminal may determine that SMS is to be delivered over IMS orover NAS. As represented by block 306, the access terminal then sendsthe message service information over the identified domain.

In some aspects, the selection of a domain at an access terminal maydepend on other domain selection operations performed by the accessterminal. For example, for voice capable access terminals, voice domainselection may be performed by the access terminal to determine the voiceservice domain between voice over IMS (VoIMS) and CS.

In some implementations, if voice domain selection is to be performed byan access terminal, it may be preferable to have this selection beperformed independently of the access terminal's SMS configuration andto give the voice domain selection precedence over the SMS method ofdelivery selection. In such a case, SMS domain selection will not changethe radio access technology selected as the result of the voice domainselection process. Thus, in the event voice domain selection has alreadybeen performed at such an access terminal, the scenarios discussed belowmay exist for SMS domain selection.

Regarding the IMS registration status, the access terminal may either beregistered to IMS or not registered to IMS.

Regarding the current radio access technology, the access terminal maybe camping on E-UTRAN (the access terminal is already Evolved PacketSystem (EPS) attached) or the access terminal may be camping on 2G/3G(e.g., GERAN or UTRAN).

For the case where the access terminal is camping on E-UTRAN, theInternational Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) attach status (non-EPSservice) for the access terminal may be one of the following: 1) theaccess terminal has attempted IMSI attach and failed (in this case, CSFBis not allowed); 2) the access terminal has not yet attempted IMSIattach (e.g., if “PS IMS Voice only” is selected); 3) the accessterminal is IMSI attached. With this in mind, FIGS. 4 and 5 describesample SMS domain selection operations that may be performed by anaccess terminal camping on E-UTRAN or 2G/3G radio access technology,respectively.

FIG. 4 describes sample SMS domain selection operations that may beperformed for a CS/CSFB and IMS capable access terminal camping onE-UTRAN. In this example, it is assumed that the access terminal isalready attached to EPS services (e.g., as a result of a voice domainselection process).

As represented by block 402, the access terminal determines whether itis configured to prefer to use SMS over IMS. For example, the accessterminal may check the value of a maintained “SMS over IMS” indicationas discussed herein.

If the access terminal is configured to use SMS over IMS, the accessterminal tries to use SMS over IMS. Thus, as represented by block 404,the access terminal determines whether it is registered to IMS. Forexample, the access terminal may have already registered to IMS duringvoice domain selection. If the access terminal is registered to IMS, theaccess terminal selects the IMS domain and uses SMS over IMS (block406).

If the access terminal was not already registered to IMS at block 404,the access terminal attempts to register to IMS at block 408. If theregistration succeeds, the access terminal uses SMS over IMS (block406).

If the IMS registration attempt at block 408 fails, the access terminalwill try to use SMS over EPS NAS (SGs). Accordingly, as represented byblock 410, the access terminal determines whether an IMSI attach hasalready been attempted (e.g., during voice domain selection). If an IMSIattach has already been attempted and has succeeded (i.e., the accessterminal is already attached to non-EPS services), the access terminalselects the NAS domain and uses SMS over NAS (SGs) as represented byblock 412.

Referring again to block 410, if an IMSI attach has already beenattempted but has failed, SMS service is not available (block 414). Inthis case, the access terminal will stay in E-UTRAN (following the radioaccess technology selection that was made by the voice domain selection)without SMS service.

If the access terminal determines at block 410 that an IMSI attach hasnot yet been attempted, the access terminal attempts to register to theCS domain (e.g., register with an MSC) via a combined tracking areaupdate (TAU) with IMSI attach (with “flag” SMS only) as represented byblock 416. If this registration attempt succeeds, the access terminaluses SMS over NAS (SGs) at block 412. Otherwise, the access terminalwill stay in E-UTRAN without SMS service (block 414).

Referring again to block 402, if the access terminal is not configuredto use SMS over IMS, the access terminal will try to use SMS over NAS(SGs). Thus, the operational flow will proceed to block 410 where theaccess terminal will perform the conditional operations discussed above(e.g., the access terminal may register with a CS domain if needed).

FIG. 5 describes sample SMS domain selection operations that may beperformed for a CS and IMS capable access terminal camping on a 2G/3Gradio access technology (e.g., UTRAN).

As represented by block 502, the access terminal determines whether itis configured to prefer to use SMS over IMS. If the access terminal isconfigured to use SMS over IMS, the access terminal determines whetherit is registered to IMS at block 504. If it is registered, the accessterminal uses SMS over IMS (block 506).

If the access terminal was not already registered to IMS at block 504,the access terminal attempts to register to IMS at block 508. If theregistration succeeds, the access terminal uses SMS over IMS (block506).

If the IMS registration attempt at block 508 fails, as represented byblock 510, the access terminal will use SMS over NAS (CS signaling)which is always available in 2G/3G radio access technology.

Referring again to block 502, if the access terminal is not configuredto use SMS over IMS, the access terminal will use SMS over NAS asrepresented by block 510.

Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, in some cases, an access terminal willbe camping on a network but not attached to the network when amobile-originated SMS message is to be delivered. For example, someaccess terminals (e.g., data cards) that do not have voice callcapability and do not perform voice domain selection may still use SMS.Hence, SMS domain selection as taught herein may be employed in suchaccess terminals. FIGS. 6 and 7 describe two examples of how domainselection for a CS and IMS capable access terminal camping on E-UTRANmay be performed for the case where an access terminal is not attached(e.g., when voice domain selection does not apply).

In the example of FIG. 6, the access terminal performs an EPS/IMSIattach only if the access terminal is not configured to use SMS overIMS. Accordingly, as represented by block 602, the access terminaldetermines whether it is configured to prefer to use SMS over IMS. Ifso, as represented by block 604, the access terminal performs an EPSattach (EPS only) and then tries to use SMS over IMS. Thus, asrepresented by block 606, the access terminal attempts to register toIMS. If the registration succeeds, the access terminal uses SMS over IMS(block 608).

If the IMS registration attempt at block 606 fails, the access terminalwill try to use SMS over NAS. Accordingly, as represented by block 610,the access terminal performs a combined Tracking Area Update (TAU) withIMSI attach. If this attach procedure succeeds, the access terminal usesSMS over NAS as represented by block 612.

If the attach procedure of block 610 fails, as represented by block 616,the action taken by the access terminal at this point may beimplementation specific. As represented by block 618, in someimplementations, the access terminal reselects to another radio accesstechnology. As represented by block 620, in some implementations, theaccess terminal stays in E-UTRAN with no SMS service available.

Referring again to block 602, if the access terminal is not configuredto use SMS over IMS, the access terminal will try to use SMS over NAS.In this case, the access terminal performs a combined EPS/IMSI attach.If this attach procedure succeeds, the access terminal uses SMS over NASas represented by block 612. If the attach procedure of block 614 fails,the action taken by the access terminal at this point may beimplementation specific as represented by block 616 (discussed above).

Referring now to FIG. 7, in this example, the access terminal alwaysperforms an EPS/IMSI attach, regardless of its SMS configuration.Accordingly, as represented by block 702, the access terminal initiallyperforms a combined EPS/IMSI attach.

If this attach procedure succeeds, as represented by block 704, theaccess terminal determines whether it is configured to prefer to use SMSover IMS. If so, as represented by block 706, the access terminalattempts to register to IMS. If the registration succeeds, the accessterminal uses SMS over IMS (block 708).

If the IMS registration attempt at block 706 fails, as represented byblock 710, the access terminal determines whether it is IMSI attached.If so, the access terminal uses SMS over NAS as represented by block712.

If the access terminal is not IMSI attached at block 710, as representedby block 714, the action taken by the access terminal at this point maybe implementation specific. As represented by block 716, in someimplementations, the access terminal reselects to another radio accesstechnology. As represented by block 718, in some implementations, theaccess terminal stays in E-UTRAN with no SMS service available.

Referring again to block 704, if the access terminal is not configuredto use SMS over IMS, the access terminal will try to use SMS over NAS.Hence, the operational flow will proceed to block 710 where the accessterminal will perform the conditional operations discussed above.

FIG. 8 describes sample operations that may be performed by an accessterminal with E-UTRAN and cdma200 technology. In this case, an accessterminal in E-UTRAN may use SMS over IMS or SMS over S102. SMS over S102is accomplished using a cdma2000 protocol data unit (PDU) between theaccess terminal and the MME, and using an S102 tunnel between the MMEand a CDMA 1x interworking function.

This example commences at block 802 with a 1x/LTE and IMS capable accessterminal camping on E-UTRAN, but not attached. In the event the accessterminal was already attached, the operational flow would commence atblock 804.

As represented by block 802, the access terminal performs an EPS attach.If this attach procedure succeeds, as represented by block 804, theaccess terminal determines whether it is configured to prefer to use SMSover IMS. If so, as represented by block 806, the access terminalattempts to register to IMS. If the registration succeeds, the accessterminal uses SMS over IMS (block 808).

If the IMS registration attempt at block 806 fails, as represented byblock 810, the access terminal attempts CDMA 1x registration. If theregistration is successful, the access terminal uses SMS over S102 asrepresented by block 812.

If the access terminal cannot register to CDMA 1x at block 810, asrepresented by block 814, the action taken by the access terminal atthis point may be implementation specific. As represented by block 816,in some implementations, the access terminal reselects to another radioaccess technology. As represented by block 818, in some implementations,the access terminal stays in E-UTRAN with no SMS service available.

Referring again to block 804, if the access terminal is not configuredto use SMS over IMS, the access terminal will try to use SMS over S102.Hence, the operational flow will proceed to block 810 where the accessterminal will perform the conditional operations discussed above.

FIG. 9 illustrates an implementation that may be employed, for example,in a case where the access terminal is not configured to preferably useSMS over an IP domain (e.g., IMS). In this case, the access terminal mayattempt to use for SMS the same domain that its uses for other traffic(e.g., voice traffic in the example of FIG. 9).

As represented by block 902, at some point in time the access terminaldetermines that it needs to send message service information. Forexample, as discussed above, a mobile-originated SMS message may need tobe set to another entity via a network.

As represented by block 904, the access terminal identifies a domainthat has been selected for voice traffic. For example, the accessterminal may determine that SMS over NAS has been used for voicetraffic.

As represented by block 906, the access terminal attempts to deliver themessage service information over the identified domain. As representedat block 908, if this attempt fails, the access terminal may attempt todeliver the message service information over another domain (e.g., IMS).

As discussed above, access terminals that use different types of radiotechnologies may use the teachings herein to deliver SMS. FIGS. 10-13illustrate in a simplified manner how SMS may be delivered overdifferent domains provided by different radio technologies.

FIG. 10 depicts a simplified example of an E-UTRAN system 1000 (i.e., anLTE network). Here, user equipment (i.e., an access terminal)communicates via wireless signals with an eNodeB via an E-UTRA Uuinterface.

The eNodeB communicates with an MME via an S1-MME interface. Inaddition, in this example the MME also communicates with an MSC servervia an SGs interface. Hence, NAS domain signaling (as represented by thedashed line 1002) is available to the user equipment (UE) via theeNodeB, the MME and the MSC server.

The eNodeB also communicates with a serving gateway (SGW) via an S1-Uinterface. The SGW, in turn, communicates with a packet data networkgateway (PGW) via an S5 or an S8 interface. The PGW communicates withpacket data network entities such as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS)via an SGi interface. Accordingly, IMS domain signaling (as representedby the dashed line 1004) is available to the UE via an IMS tunnelthrough the eNodeB, the SGW, the PGW, and the IMS.

FIG. 11 depicts a simplified example of a UTRAN system 1100. In thiscase, a UE communicates via wireless signals with a NodeB via a UTRA Uuinterface. The NodeB, in turn, communicates with an SGSN.

The SGSN communicates with an MSC server via a Gs interface. Thus, CSdomain signaling (as represented by the dashed line 1102) is availableto the UE via the NodeB, the SGSN, and the MSC server.

The SGSN also communicates with a gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) via aGn interface. The GGSN, in turn, communicates with packet data networkentities such as an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) via a Gi interface.Accordingly, IMS domain signaling (as represented by the dashed line1104) is available to the UE via an IMS tunnel through the NodeB, theSGSN, the GGSN, and the IMS.

FIG. 12 depicts a simplified example of a GERAN system 1200. Here, anaccess terminal (AT) communicates via wireless signals with a basestation transceiver (BTS). The BTS, in turn, communicates with a basestation controller (BSC).

The BSC communicates with an MSC server via an A interface. Thus, CSdomain signaling (as represented by the dashed line 1202) is availableto the UE via the BTS, the BSC, and the MSC server.

The BSC also communicates with an SGSN. The SGSN communicates with aGGSN that, in turn, communicates with packet data network entities suchas an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). Accordingly, IMS domain signaling(as represented by the dashed line 1204) is available to the AT via anIMS tunnel through the BTS, the BSC, the SGSN, the GGSN, and the IMS.

FIG. 13 depicts a simplified example of an E-UTRAN system 1300 thatprovides cdma2000 connectivity. In a similar manner as described abovefor FIG. 10, the UE communicates via wireless signals with an eNodeB,and IMS domain signaling (as represented by the dashed line 1304) isavailable to the UE via an IMS tunnel through the eNodeB, the SGW, thePGW, and the IMS.

In this case, however, SMS domain signaling (as represented by thedashed line 1302) is provided via cdma2000 PDUs between the UE and theMME, and an S102 tunnel between the MME and a 1x interworking function.

Various advantages may be achieved through the use of the teachingsherein. For example, SMS domain selection may be achieved using a singleconfiguration parameter. Also, voice domain selection and SMS domainselection may be decoupled, thereby simplifying the domain selectionprocedure. Furthermore, access terminal behavior may be defined forvarious radio access technologies.

FIG. 14 illustrates several sample components that may be incorporatedinto nodes such as an access terminal 1402 (e.g., corresponding toaccess terminal 102), and a network entity 1404 (e.g., of a home PLMN)to perform message service operations as taught herein. In practice, thedescribed components also may be incorporated into other nodes in acommunication system. For example, other nodes in a system may includecomponents similar to those described for the network entity 1404 toprovide similar configuration functionality. Also, a given node maycontain one or more of the described components. For example, an accessterminal may contain multiple transceiver components that enable theaccess terminal to operate on multiple frequencies and/or communicatevia different technologies.

As shown in FIG. 14, the access terminal 1402 includes a transceiver1406 for communicating with other nodes. The transceiver 1406 includes atransmitter 1408 for sending signals (e.g., message service informationsuch as SMS messages) and a receiver 1410 for receiving signals (e.g.,message service indications).

The network entity 1404 includes a network interface 1412 forcommunicating with other nodes (e.g., other network nodes). For example,the network interface 1412 may be configured to communicate with one ormore network nodes via a wire-based or wireless backhaul. In someaspects, the network interface 1412 may be implemented as a transceiverconfigured to support wire-based or wireless communication. To this end,the network interface 1412 is depicted as including a transmittercomponent 1414 (e.g., for sending message service indications) and areceiver component 1416 (e.g., for receiving messages).

The access terminal 1402 and the network entity 1404 also include othercomponents that may be used in conjunction with message serviceoperations as taught herein. For example, the access terminal 1402includes a message service processor 1418 for performing messageservice-related operations (e.g., delivering message serviceinformation, identifying a domain, attempting to deliver message serviceinformation over a domain) and for providing other related functionalityas taught herein. The access terminal 1402 also includes a communicationprocessor 1422 for performing communication-related operations (e.g.,determining that message service information is to be sent) and forproviding other related functionality as taught herein. In addition, theaccess terminal 1402 includes a memory component 1424 (e.g., thatcomprises or interfaces with a memory device) for maintaininginformation (e.g., maintaining a message service indication) and forproviding other related functionality as taught herein. The networkentity 1404 includes a message service processor 1420 for performingmessage service-related operations (e.g., generating a message serviceindication) and for providing other related functionality as taughtherein.

In some implementations, the components of FIG. 14 may be implemented inone or more processors (e.g., each of which uses and/or incorporatesdata memory for storing information or code used by the processor(s) toprovide this functionality). For example, some of the functionality ofblock 1406 and some or all of the functionality of blocks 1418, 1422,and 1424 may be implemented by a processor or processors of an accessterminal and data memory of the access terminal (e.g., by execution ofappropriate code and/or by appropriate configuration of processorcomponents). In addition, some of the functionality of block 1412 andsome or all of the functionality of block 1420 may be implemented by aprocessor or processors of a network entity and data memory of thenetwork entity (e.g., by execution of appropriate code and/or byappropriate configuration of processor components).

The teachings herein may be employed in a wireless multiple-accesscommunication system that simultaneously supports communication formultiple wireless access terminals. Here, each terminal may communicatewith one or more access points via transmissions on the forward andreverse links. The forward link (or downlink) refers to thecommunication link from the access points to the terminals, and thereverse link (or uplink) refers to the communication link from theterminals to the access points. This communication link may beestablished via a single-in-single-out system, amultiple-in-multiple-out (MIMO) system, or some other type of system.

A MIMO system employs multiple (N_(T)) transmit antennas and multiple(N_(R)) receive antennas for data transmission. A MIMO channel formed bythe N_(T) transmit and N_(R) receive antennas may be decomposed intoN_(S) independent channels, which are also referred to as spatialchannels, where N_(S)≤min{N_(T), N_(R)}. Each of the N_(S) independentchannels corresponds to a dimension. The MIMO system may provideimproved performance (e.g., higher throughput and/or greaterreliability) if the additional dimensionalities created by the multipletransmit and receive antennas are utilized.

A MIMO system may support time division duplex (TDD) and frequencydivision duplex (FDD). In a TDD system, the forward and reverse linktransmissions are on the same frequency region so that the reciprocityprinciple allows the estimation of the forward link channel from thereverse link channel. This enables the access point to extract transmitbeam-forming gain on the forward link when multiple antennas areavailable at the access point.

FIG. 15 illustrates a wireless device 1510 (e.g., an access point) and awireless device 1550 (e.g., an access terminal) of a sample MIMO system1500. At the device 1510, traffic data for a number of data streams isprovided from a data source 1512 to a transmit (TX) data processor 1514.Each data stream may then be transmitted over a respective transmitantenna.

The TX data processor 1514 formats, codes, and interleaves the trafficdata for each data stream based on a particular coding scheme selectedfor that data stream to provide coded data. The coded data for each datastream may be multiplexed with pilot data using OFDM techniques. Thepilot data is typically a known data pattern that is processed in aknown manner and may be used at the receiver system to estimate thechannel response. The multiplexed pilot and coded data for each datastream is then modulated (i.e., symbol mapped) based on a particularmodulation scheme (e.g., BPSK, QSPK, M-PSK, or M-QAM) selected for thatdata stream to provide modulation symbols. The data rate, coding, andmodulation for each data stream may be determined by instructionsperformed by a processor 1530. A data memory 1532 may store programcode, data, and other information used by the processor 1530 or othercomponents of the device 1510.

The modulation symbols for all data streams are then provided to a TXMIMO processor 1520, which may further process the modulation symbols(e.g., for OFDM). The TX MIMO processor 1520 then provides N_(T)modulation symbol streams to N_(T) transceivers (XCVR) 1522A through1522T. In some aspects, the TX MIMO processor 1520 applies beam-formingweights to the symbols of the data streams and to the antenna from whichthe symbol is being transmitted.

Each transceiver 1522 receives and processes a respective symbol streamto provide one or more analog signals, and further conditions (e.g.,amplifies, filters, and upconverts) the analog signals to provide amodulated signal suitable for transmission over the MIMO channel. N_(T)modulated signals from transceivers 1522A through 1522T are thentransmitted from N_(T) antennas 1524A through 1524T, respectively.

At the device 1550, the transmitted modulated signals are received byN_(R) antennas 1552A through 1552R and the received signal from eachantenna 1552 is provided to a respective transceiver (XCVR) 1554Athrough 1554R. Each transceiver 1554 conditions (e.g., filters,amplifies, and downconverts) a respective received signal, digitizes theconditioned signal to provide samples, and further processes the samplesto provide a corresponding “received” symbol stream.

A receive (RX) data processor 1560 then receives and processes the N_(R)received symbol streams from N_(R) transceivers 1554 based on aparticular receiver processing technique to provide N_(T) “detected”symbol streams. The RX data processor 1560 then demodulates,deinterleaves, and decodes each detected symbol stream to recover thetraffic data for the data stream. The processing by the RX dataprocessor 1560 is complementary to that performed by the TX MIMOprocessor 1520 and the TX data processor 1514 at the device 1510.

A processor 1570 periodically determines which pre-coding matrix to use(discussed below). The processor 1570 formulates a reverse link messagecomprising a matrix index portion and a rank value portion. A datamemory 1572 may store program code, data, and other information used bythe processor 1570 or other components of the device 1550.

The reverse link message may comprise various types of informationregarding the communication link and/or the received data stream. Thereverse link message is then processed by a TX data processor 1538,which also receives traffic data for a number of data streams from adata source 1536, modulated by a modulator 1580, conditioned by thetransceivers 1554A through 1554R, and transmitted back to the device1510.

At the device 1510, the modulated signals from the device 1550 arereceived by the antennas 1524, conditioned by the transceivers 1522,demodulated by a demodulator (DEMOD) 1540, and processed by a RX dataprocessor 1542 to extract the reverse link message transmitted by thedevice 1550. The processor 1530 then determines which pre-coding matrixto use for determining the beam-forming weights then processes theextracted message.

FIG. 15 also illustrates that the communication components may includeone or more components that perform message control operations as taughtherein. For example, a message control component 1592 may cooperate withthe processor 1570 and/or other components of the device 1550 to sendmessage service information to another device (e.g., via device 1510).It should be appreciated that for each device 1510 and 1550 thefunctionality of two or more of the described components may be providedby a single component. For example, a single processing component mayprovide the functionality of the message control component 1592 and theprocessor 1570.

The teachings herein may be incorporated into various types ofcommunication systems and/or system components. In some aspects, theteachings herein may be employed in a multiple-access system capable ofsupporting communication with multiple users by sharing the availablesystem resources (e.g., by specifying one or more of bandwidth, transmitpower, coding, interleaving, and so on). For example, the teachingsherein may be applied to any one or combinations of the followingtechnologies: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) systems,Multiple-Carrier CDMA (MCCDMA), Wideband CDMA (W-CDMA), High-SpeedPacket Access (HSPA, HSPA+) systems, Time Division Multiple Access(TDMA) systems, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) systems,Single-Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) systems, Orthogonal Frequency DivisionMultiple Access (OFDMA) systems, or other multiple access techniques. Awireless communication system employing the teachings herein may bedesigned to implement one or more standards, such as IS-95, cdma2000,IS-856, W-CDMA, TDSCDMA, and other standards. A CDMA network mayimplement a radio technology such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access(UTRA), cdma2000, or some other technology. UTRA includes W-CDMA and LowChip Rate (LCR). The cdma2000 technology covers IS-2000, IS-95 andIS-856 standards. A TDMA network may implement a radio technology suchas Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). An OFDMA network mayimplement a radio technology such as Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11,IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM®, etc. UTRA, E-UTRA, and GSM arepart of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). The teachingsherein may be implemented in a 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, anUltra-Mobile Broadband (UMB) system, and other types of systems. LTE isa release of UMTS that uses E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, GSM, UMTS and LTE aredescribed in documents from an organization named “3rd GenerationPartnership Project” (3GPP), while cdma2000 is described in documentsfrom an organization named “3rd Generation Partnership Project 2”(3GPP2). Although certain aspects of the disclosure may be describedusing 3GPP terminology, it is to be understood that the teachings hereinmay be applied to 3GPP (e.g., Re199, Re15, Re16, Re17) technology, aswell as 3GPP2 (e.g., 1×RTT, 1×EV-DO Re10, RevA, RevB) technology andother technologies.

The teachings herein may be incorporated into (e.g., implemented withinor performed by) a variety of apparatuses (e.g., nodes). In someaspects, a node (e.g., a wireless node) implemented in accordance withthe teachings herein may comprise an access point or an access terminal.

For example, an access terminal may comprise, be implemented as, orknown as user equipment, a subscriber station, a subscriber unit, amobile station, a mobile, a mobile node, a remote station, a remoteterminal, a user terminal, a user agent, a user device, or some otherterminology. In some implementations an access terminal may comprise acellular telephone, a cordless telephone, a session initiation protocol(SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a handheld device having wireless connectioncapability, or some other suitable processing device connected to awireless modem. Accordingly, one or more aspects taught herein may beincorporated into a phone (e.g., a cellular phone or smart phone), acomputer (e.g., a laptop), a portable communication device, a portablecomputing device (e.g., a personal data assistant), an entertainmentdevice (e.g., a music device, a video device, or a satellite radio), aglobal positioning system device, or any other suitable device that isconfigured to communicate via a wireless medium.

An access point may comprise, be implemented as, or known as a NodeB, aneNodeB, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station (BS), a radiobase station (RBS), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiverstation (BTS), a transceiver function (TF), a radio transceiver, a radiorouter, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), amacro cell, a macro node, a Home eNB (HeNB), a femto cell, a femto node,a pico node, or some other similar terminology.

In some aspects a node (e.g., an access point) may comprise an accessnode for a communication system. Such an access node may provide, forexample, connectivity for or to a network (e.g., a wide area networksuch as the Internet or a cellular network) via a wired or wirelesscommunication link to the network. Accordingly, an access node mayenable another node (e.g., an access terminal) to access a network orsome other functionality. In addition, it should be appreciated that oneor both of the nodes may be portable or, in some cases, relativelynon-portable.

Also, it should be appreciated that a wireless node may be capable oftransmitting and/or receiving information in a non-wireless manner(e.g., via a wired connection). Thus, a receiver and a transmitter asdiscussed herein may include appropriate communication interfacecomponents (e.g., electrical or optical interface components) tocommunicate via a non-wireless medium.

A wireless node may communicate via one or more wireless communicationlinks that are based on or otherwise support any suitable wirelesscommunication technology. For example, in some aspects a wireless nodemay associate with a network. In some aspects the network may comprise alocal area network or a wide area network. A wireless device may supportor otherwise use one or more of a variety of wireless communicationtechnologies, protocols, or standards such as those discussed herein(e.g., CDMA, TDMA, OFDM, OFDMA, WiMAX, Wi-Fi, and so on). Similarly, awireless node may support or otherwise use one or more of a variety ofcorresponding modulation or multiplexing schemes. A wireless node maythus include appropriate components (e.g., air interfaces) to establishand communicate via one or more wireless communication links using theabove or other wireless communication technologies. For example, awireless node may comprise a wireless transceiver with associatedtransmitter and receiver components that may include various components(e.g., signal generators and signal processors) that facilitatecommunication over a wireless medium.

The functionality described herein (e.g., with regard to one or more ofthe accompanying figures) may correspond in some aspects to similarlydesignated “means for” functionality in the appended claims. Referringto FIGS. 16-19, apparatuses 1600, 1700, 1800, and 1900 are representedas a series of interrelated functional modules. Here, an indicationmaintaining module 1602 may correspond at least in some aspects to, forexample, a memory component as discussed herein. A message serviceinformation delivering module 1604 may correspond at least in someaspects to, for example, a message service processor as discussedherein. An indication receiving module 1606 may correspond at least insome aspects to, for example, a receiver as discussed herein. Anindication generating module 1702 may correspond at least in someaspects to, for example, a message service processor as discussedherein. An indication sending module 1704 may correspond at least insome aspects to, for example, a transmitter as discussed herein. Amessage service information to be sent, determining module 1802 maycorrespond at least in some aspects to, for example, a communicationprocessor as discussed herein. A domain identifying module 1804 maycorrespond at least in some aspects to, for example, a message serviceprocessor as discussed herein. A message service information deliveringmodule 1806 may correspond at least in some aspects to, for example, amessage service processor as discussed herein. A message serviceinformation to be sent, determining module 1902 may correspond at leastin some aspects to, for example, a communication processor as discussedherein. A domain identifying module 1904 may correspond at least in someaspects to, for example, a message service processor as discussedherein. A message service information over identified domain, deliveryattempting module 1906 may correspond at least in some aspects to, forexample, a message service processor as discussed herein. A messageservice information over another domain, delivery attempting module 1908may correspond at least in some aspects to, for example, a messageservice processor as discussed herein.

The functionality of the modules of FIGS. 16-19 may be implemented invarious ways consistent with the teachings herein. In some aspects thefunctionality of these modules may be implemented as one or moreelectrical components. In some aspects the functionality of these blocksmay be implemented as a processing system including one or moreprocessor components. In some aspects the functionality of these modulesmay be implemented using, for example, at least a portion of one or moreintegrated circuits (e.g., an ASIC). As discussed herein, an integratedcircuit may include a processor, software, other related components, orsome combination thereof. The functionality of these modules also may beimplemented in some other manner as taught herein. In some aspects oneor more of any dashed blocks in FIGS. 16-19 are optional.

It should be understood that any reference to an element herein using adesignation such as “first,” “second,” and so forth does not generallylimit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, thesedesignations may be used herein as a convenient method of distinguishingbetween two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, areference to first and second elements does not mean that only twoelements may be employed there or that the first element must precedethe second element in some manner. Also, unless stated otherwise a setof elements may comprise one or more elements. In addition, terminologyof the form “at least one of: A, B, or C” used in the description or theclaims means “A or B or C or any combination of these elements.”

Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signalsmay be represented using any of a variety of different technologies andtechniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information,signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout theabove description may be represented by voltages, currents,electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields orparticles, or any combination thereof.

Those of skill would further appreciate that any of the variousillustrative logical blocks, modules, processors, means, circuits, andalgorithm steps described in connection with the aspects disclosedherein may be implemented as electronic hardware (e.g., a digitalimplementation, an analog implementation, or a combination of the two,which may be designed using source coding or some other technique),various forms of program or design code incorporating instructions(which may be referred to herein, for convenience, as “software” or a“software module”), or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate thisinterchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrativecomponents, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been describedabove generally in terms of their functionality. Whether suchfunctionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon theparticular application and design constraints imposed on the overallsystem. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality invarying ways for each particular application, but such implementationdecisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from thescope of the present disclosure.

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and circuits describedin connection with the aspects disclosed herein may be implementedwithin or performed by an integrated circuit (IC), an access terminal,or an access point. The IC may comprise a general purpose processor, adigital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or otherprogrammable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discretehardware components, electrical components, optical components,mechanical components, or any combination thereof designed to performthe functions described herein, and may execute codes or instructionsthat reside within the IC, outside of the IC, or both. A general purposeprocessor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processormay be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or statemachine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination ofcomputing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, aplurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunctionwith a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

It is understood that any specific order or hierarchy of steps in anydisclosed process is an example of a sample approach. Based upon designpreferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy ofsteps in the processes may be rearranged while remaining within thescope of the present disclosure. The accompanying method claims presentelements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to belimited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions described may beimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof.If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on ortransmitted over as one or more instructions or code on acomputer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computerstorage media and communication media including any medium thatfacilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. Astorage media may be any available media that can be accessed by acomputer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readablemedia can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code inthe form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed bya computer. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readablemedium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website,server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologiessuch as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiberoptic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such asinfrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium.Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc,optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray discwhere disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproducedata optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also beincluded within the scope of computer-readable media. It should beappreciated that a computer-readable medium may be implemented in anysuitable computer-program product.

The previous description of the disclosed aspects is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure.Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to thoseskilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may beapplied to other aspects without departing from the scope of thedisclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limitedto the aspects shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of communication, comprising:maintaining an indication at an access terminal, wherein the indicationindicates that a message service is preferred to be invoked over anInternet Protocol domain or that the message service is not to beinvoked over an Internet Protocol domain; and delivering message serviceinformation based on the indication.